Insectec, near the small town of Letsitele in Limpopo, is the largest insectary in the Southern Hemisphere, and produces natural insect predators of citrus pests. Insectec has to nurture these predators with the very pests they will ultimately eliminate in the orchard. Ironically, therefore, these pests are also bred and fed. This is done with butternuts (supplied by farmers in the area), which supply both a food source and breeding environment.
Each step in the system needs to be followed diligently and meticulously to prevent cross-contamination and ensure that farmers receive the highest-quality live product that will do what is promised: reduce pest infestation in orchards. The processes involved in breeding insects require a unique set of skills, but as the industry is still in its infancy both locally and internationally, there are no tertiary institutions that provide training to breed the insects in the way that Insectec does: intensively and in large quantities.
Hiring the right staff for these tasks requires finding people who are willing to learn. In turn, people are given opportunities for upliftment through gaining niche skills. Such expertise is set to be in high demand as farmers increasingly look to biological methods of pest control.
According to Karel van Heerden, CEO of Insectec, the company introduces constant innovation to improve production methods.
“Everything Insectec has achieved so far has been based on research and trials. Minimum input with maximum output is always more cost-effective, and optimal training is imperative to achieving this.”
FAST FACTS
Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 6+13 January 2023-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 6+13 January 2023-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ARC names best dairy producers of the year
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) recently announced the winners of the 2024 National Master Dairyman Awards at an event hosted by AgriExpo in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
Lion breeders to give up bone stockpiles?
The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment issued an official notice in mid-November in which it called on lion breeders to voluntarily hand over their lion bone stockpiles to the state as soon as possible.
Thousands of British farmers march on parliament against inheritance tax
Thousands of UK farmers gathered in London, England, on 19 November to demand the government repeal a proposed inheritance tax on agricultural land, which they argued threatened the future of family-run farms (see page 4), Al Jazeera reported.
Avocado frittata with sundried tomatoes, feta and olives
This wholesome, vibrant frittata is perfect for brunch or a light supper. Recipe and photo: The South African Avocado Growers' Association.
Feed, hay, and other costs are up, so it's time to get creative
Breeders and riding schools need to explore innovative ways to generate income in order to ensure their survival, says Dr Mac.
How to make polystyrene seedling trays last longer
While thinking about how to prolong the lifespan of polystyrene seedling trays that are exposed to harsh sunlight, Bill Kerr began to wonder if a coat of paint might offer a solution.
Living the 'culture' in agriculture
Creation Wines has won numerous awards, was ranked fourth in the World’s Best Vineyards in 2023, and more recently won the V d’Or award for the Best Brand Experience. The owners, Carolyn and Jean-Claude Martin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how their winery became a top tourism destination.
Time to take a deep breath on the slopes of the Magaliesberg
Around 100km from both Johannesburg and Pretoria in Gauteng and a tad over 40km from Rustenburg in North West, Farmer’s Weekly found a fine retreat on a working farm where couples may kindle their romance.
African penguins could be extinct by 2035 how to save them
Protecting the critically endangered African penguin is good for the environment, other animal species, and the economy, say Lorien Pichegru and Dr Alistair McInnes of Nelson Mandela University, Katrin Ludynia of the University of Cape Town, and Peter Barham of the University of Bristol in the UK.
An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA
South American grass species from the genus Nassella were unwittingly introduced to South Africa over 120 years ago and continue to invade montane veld. As Mike Burgess writes, research-based action is required.
